EU welcomes outcome of Joint Committee meeting with Mauritania

(19/09/2013) The European Union (EU) is pleased with the outcome of the Joint Committee meeting, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on 17th and 18th September, within the framework of the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritania for 2012-2014.

Both parties have underlined the importance of the agreed conclusions, which allow the EU's fleet for a more effective and sustainable access to fishing opportunities whilst ensuring the preservation of the Mauritanian fish resources.

The conclusions agreed at the Joint Committee meeting include:

Modification of shrimp fishing areas, a revision of the by-catch for cephalopods, and a fee reduction for the vessels of the European artisan fishermen;

Adaptation of the fishing zone for pelagic freezer trawlers reinforcing the protection of the seabed and improving fishing opportunities;

Improvement of boarding conditions for Mauritanian seamen on European ships;

Greater safety during landing of the contribution in kind of the Mauritanian vessels;

Continuation of scientific research for the launch of an experimental campaign for the octopus fishery in Mauritanian waters;

Increased transparency in the implementation of the sectoral support for the future release of the 2013-2014 financial support which aims to strengthen the fisheries sector in IRM

The results of the meeting reflect the strengthening of wider cooperation and partnership between the EU and Mauritania, in particular within the fisheries sector.

Both parties emphasised the importance of the agreed conclusions of the Joint Committee meeting ahead of the European Parliament's upcoming vote on the Protocol on 8 October.